Liverpool learn £55m release clause stands between them and Premier League centre-back

Liverpool have learned that centre-back target Dean Huijsen has a £55million release clause in his six-year contract with Bournemouth and are on high alert after trying to sign him before his move to the Cherries.

Arne Slot has come in and done an impressive job succeeding Jurgen Klopp as manager of Liverpool but the biggest testament to this is how little injuries at centre-back have impact the side.

Virgil van Dijk should also get a lot of praise as the skipper brings so much class to the middle of defence that his presence alone guarantees protection for Alisson Becker in goal. But injuries to Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez have threatened to derail Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge.

While it’s understandable that Arne Slot wanted more time with his squad before making transfer decisions that will have long-lasting consequences, Liverpool really should have signed a centre-back in the summer when it became clear they weren’t going to get a top no.6.

One player they were tracking and wanted to sign before he joined Bournemouth is Dean Huijsen.

Arsenal and Liverpool “on alert” after they learn of £55m release clause

According to TBR Football, Huijsen is on a six-year deal with Bournemouth that contains a £55million release clause that Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are keeping a close eye on. The 19-year-old left Juventus in 2024 due to the Italian club’s financial difficulties with Bournemouth paying just £12.6m to complete the deal.

Tottenham, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also tracking the player in case of an opportunity to sign him. From overseas, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are keen too with Bayern “particularly strong admirers”.

Liverpool are at risk of losing Virgil van Dijk in the summer when his contract will expire unless sporting director Richard Hughes can reach an agreement with the captain to extend his terms.

Huijsen is not the man to replace van Dijk, but there may be a chance for Liverpool to sign him in the next couple of years when he has had more time to develop in the Premier League.